Remote automatic radio control



Oct. 14, 1941. H, 2,258,763

REMOTE AUTOMATIC RADIO CONTROL Filed June 28, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Wok#975 9/171 Gttornegs Zhwentor Oct. 14, 1941. R H, HM Y 2,258,763

, REMOTE AUTOMATIC RADIO CONTROL Filed June 28, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed June 28, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Zinvcntor 12 BB v Pofifli $597771 Mattorneys R. H. HILL REMOTE AUTOMATIC RADIO CONTROL Filed June 28, 19384 Sheets-Sheet 4 FROM I .SPEA K ER U5, FROM RAD/0 T PUSMBUTTON HOLD DOWNRELA Y HOLD DOW/Y (O/L MOTOR Zinnentor Zohi :77. Will W (Ittomegs CLUTCH4 Patented Oct. 14, 1941 assays:

more su'ronumc aamo common Robert H. Hill, Anderson, Ind., nssignor toGeneral Motors Corporation, Detroit, Micln, a corporation of DelawareApplication June 28, 103s, Serial No. 16,301 z Claims. (01. zoo-s) Thisinvention relates to control mechanism and more specifically to indexcontrol mechanism where it is desired to stop agivenshaft atpredetermined set angular positions.

There are of course many instances in which it is desired to providesome index control means where a plurality of set angular indexpositions is desirable and the, one application described herein is thatof a radio control but it is evident from the general nature of theconstruction that any ype of mechanism may be combined with this controlwherein it is desired to index a shaft to different angular positionsand therefore my invention should not be limited to the utilization witha radio receiver only.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide means for indexinga rotatable shaft to different predetermined angular positions.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an automatic means forindexing such a shaft as described by the mere closure of apredetermined circuit. 7

With these and other objects in view the embodiments of my inventionwill be best understood by reference to the following specification andclaims, the constructions of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic construction ofa-radio receiver having my tuning element connected thereto.

Figure 2 shows a face view of a modified form of a control panel; I

Figure 3 shows an enlarged face view of the control panel for my deviceshown in Figure 1. Figure 4 shows a vertical elevation of the panelshown in Figure 3, parts being broken away and shown in section.

Figure 5 shows a rear view of the panel. Figure 6 shows aside elevationof the receiver case within which the index assembly is located, partsbeing broken away .and shown in section. Figure 7 shows a verticalsection through the camshaft and its associated magnetic controls takenon line l| of Figure 12.

- Figure 8 shows an end view of the opposite end of the index assemblyto that shown in Figure 6. Figure 9 shows an enlarged sectional detailshowing the mounting of the cam discs on the control shaft.

Figure 10 shows a detail of one of the mechanically operated switches.

Figure 11 is a top plan view of the index assembly. Figure 12 is a frontelevation of the index assembly.

Figure 13 is a schematic wiring diagram of the various connectionsnecessary to this system.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, there is illustrated inFigure 1 a radio receiver 2 which houses the receiving set and alsomechanism for tuning or indexing the shaft.

Connected thereto by suitable cables 4 is a loud speaker t for emanatingthe audible waves. I

Also connected thereto is a hollow cable I within which is a rotatableshaft for mechanically driving'the tuning shaft and connected to theouter end of the cable Sis a conventional control head ll having atuning knob i 4 and a volume control knob II as well as an indexingdialll.

Also connected to the casing is a multi-wire cable which is connected atits outer or remote end to a panel 22 containing a plurality ofswitches. It is of course obvious that these two panels Ill and 22 maybe combined into such a combination control panel as shown at 24 whereinthe switches such as 28 are located at the top of the panel and thecontrol head is located at the lower portion.

The indexing mechanism per se comprises an assembly which may bedesignated generally at 28 and is best shown in Figures 11 and 12. Thisassembly is designed to fit inside of the case 2 and is connected todrive the tuning shaft having thereon the condensers not shown. 4

The sub-assembly 2| is formed of two end plates 30 and 32 havingextending between them a spacing rod 34 which is rigidly secured toeach. There is also secured between the two a panel ll for supportingvarious pieces of the apparatus.

Extending between the two end panels and rotatably Journaled therein isa shaft 38, one end of which, namely the right-hand end as viewed inFigures 11 and 12, extends through the end plate ll and has securedthereto a gear wheel which is adapted to mesh with a suitable gear 42 ona parallel shaft 44. The shaft 44 is Journaled in the main housing 2 andcarries thereon at a slightly spaced distance from the gear 42 a smallergear 46 which is adapted to mesh with a gear 4| driven by the rotatingBowden wire within the hollow cable 8 which of course is driveninitially by the manually turned knob 14.

Mounted on the shaft 38 in a manner best shown in the" enlarged detailof Figure 9 are a plurality of cam discs GI, said cam discs beingmounted directly on a flanged ring 52, the one sideof the flanged ringhaving an indenture 54 cut therein within which a dished spring washer56 is snapped and when in place tends to force the cam 50 against theshoulder 58 of the fiansed of two different semi-circular radii with anotch such as I40 at one index position. Otherwise the 7 outer surfaceis either a large radius such as I42 or asubstantially reduced radiussuch as I.

Each of these flanged rings 52 has its inner circularsurface slightlycorrugated as is the outer surface of the shaft so that it will turntherewith and not slip when forced thereon. There are provided betweeneach of the adjacent rings 52 certain spacer rings 00 for locating themin the correct position. In this way it will be seen there is, provideda drive which will cause any one of the cams 50 to normally turn withthe shaft 48 but which, under certain circumstances. will allow relativemovement between the two whereby the cam 50 may slide upon the ring 52.A number of these cams are provided, the number depending upon thenumber of different angular positions in which it is desired to stop theshaft. In the particular modification shown eight of these cams areprovided.

Mounted upon a flanged upper surface 62 of the cross member 38' are aplurality of magnetic coils 64, one located inalignment with each of thecams 50. The cross member 62 is also bent up to form a backing member 66in which is provided a plurality of vertical slots 68, the upper portionof this plate also being curved to form substantially a semi-circulargroove.

Extending across the assembly at this point there is provided a shaft I0upon which are mounted a plurality of circular spaced sleeves E2,-

the outer surfaces of which are adapted to fit within the semi-circularportion of the extension 66 and attached to these sleeves is a forwardlyextending arm 14, the end of which is bent down to form a. tip I0 forcooperating with the cam surfaces of the cams 50.

Also extending from a diametrically opposite point from the sleeve 12 isa short arm I8 which extends back through the slot 08 and has connectedthereto a tensionspring 80, the opposite end of which is connected to aprojection 82 extending outwardly from the member 60. It will thus beevident that each of these arms ll are spring biased toward its upperposition or away from contact with the cam 50.

It will thus be evident that when any of the arms II are attracted bythe associated relay 04 that the cam-follower I6 will be pulled towardthe cam surface 50 and that at the same time the small cross shaft 88will be pulled downwardly operating the switch arm I02. Of course theamount of depression will depend on the location of the cam 50 whichwill depend upon its initial setting. It might also be pointed out atthis time 4 that the cross rod 34 acts as a stop for all of the arms 14which as before noted are spring biased upwardly.

Supported on a suitable bracket I08 below the bracket 30 is a smalldriving motor IIO shown in dotted lines on Figure 12. This driving motorthrough its shaft I I2 drives a small worm wheel H4 which engages a gearwheel IIB, said gear wheel having a long hub. H8 rotatably mounted on astub shaft I20, said shaft I20 being journaled in a small frame, the twoportions I22 and I24 of which both extend upwardly from the housing 2.

Mounted adjacent the gear H0 and also rotatable with respect to theshaft I20 is a second angular plate I26 having pins I28 therein which 6.Mounted rigidly with respect to the shaft I20 there is next provided asmall ring I30 secured to. the shaft by a pin I32 and bearing against aring of roller bearings I34.

Also supported around the stationary and around a portion of the angularring I20 is 'a magnetic coil I36 supported on the side of the frame I25within a suitable housing I38. This whole mechanism of course operatesas a clutch and when the coil 136 is energized the angular I26 isattracted toward the right as shown In the arm 14 toward the frontportion thereof there is screw-threaded into the top surface a shortstud 84 having ,therearound a coil spring 88.

These studs 84 are in alignment with each other across the width of theassembly and, maintain under the heads and adjacent the coil springs asmall transverse rod 08, the ends of which are bent at right anglesthereto and proceed back on either side of the assembly to form arms 80,said arms being supported in holes 92 through opposite ends of a crossrod 94, the ends of which are joumaled on pointed adjustable pins 00and. The adjustable pin 86 is located in the right-hand frame member 30but the adjustable pin 98 is supported on an angular bracket I00extending from the side frame 32 so that the end of the shaft 94projects through the frame 32 a short distance before it is supported onthe journaling pin. .There is rigidly clamped to this extension of theshaft 04 a short switching arm I02 for operating switch mechanism laterto be described. The one end of the rearwardly extending arm 90 hassupported thereon a counterbalancing weight I04 to assist in raising thearmature, and the op- 'posite"arm on the other side of the chassis issecured to a short coil spring I00 for the same purpose.

in Figure 6 and engages with a very heavy frictional force'against thering I30 and so causes the shaft I20 to rotate with the gear H8; Whenthe coil I36 is deenergized the gear IE6 and its associated ring I20 mayoperate independently of theshaft. To'the shaft I20 there is rigidlyconnected the end of a suitable driving shaft extending through to agear 48 and the manual control described with reference to the wiringdiagram. 7

Also supported on'the end member 32 is an angled bracket I upon which ismounted a plu- 1-- lil rality of flexible switch members I02 carried onan insulating pin I64 and comprising switches I 60 and I 68, oneterminal of each of these switches being common and extended in arm I10the end of which isfladapted to contact with the end of arm I02 operatedby the movement of rod 88 to cause certain desired switching later to bedescribed.

The remotely positioned control panel or box is designated generally atI12 and comprises a substantially rectangular casing I'll, the one endof which is open and has an insulating closure member I18 supportedthereon. The front portion of the casing I" is provided with a pluralityof openings I18 through which a series of push buttons I may project.

, Within the housing and supported upon the insulated base by a seriesof long-threaded bolts I82 and spacing sleeves I8 is a panel I80substantially parallel with the base or top' of the casihgi.

ring m" Carried upon this panel I 86 is a circular magnetic coil I88 andsecured over and enclosing the opposite side is an angularfianged ringI90. The base I86 has an upturned flanged edge I92 which surrounds theouter edge of the housing within which the magnet coil I88 is clamped.The top of the angled bracket I90 is also provided with a series ofopenings in alignment with the openings I18 in the housing and the baseI86 is also provided with further aligned openings such as I94.

Secured to the push button I00 is a shaft I96 which extends down and hassecured to its lower end a reduced portion I98 which is journaled in anopening in the insulating base I16. Secured to the shaft I96 is aninsulating sleeve member 200 which carries on its outer surface acontact mem her 204 for closing certain switch contacts. Secured to theinsulated base are a pair of spaced spring contacts such as 206 betweenwhich the rod is movable and as the same is moved up or down either aninsulating portion or the circular contacting ring 204 is placed betweenthe switch members 206 to complete or break the electric circuit.

Just below the push button there is a circular ring 208 on the shaft I96which is rigidly secured thereto and acts as an armature for the magnetcoil in sucha way that when the push button is depressed and the desiredelectric circuit closed it will become evident at a later point that themagnet I88 is also placed in circuit and its magnetic field maintainsthe push button in its depressed position until the set has reached itspredetermined position. The construction of all of the push buttons isof course identical with that described and there is also secured in thecentral portion of the magnet a suitable light source 2I0 which showsout through a circular opening 2H and to the base there is secured asuitable number of contact bars or rings 2I2, 2I4 as desired forconducting the current.

Referring now particularly to Figure 13 which shows the circuit diagramof my invention, we see' there a number of push buttons I8.0AF whichclose the necessary switches and also a plurality of relay coils 64AF,said relay coils of course operating their flanged armatures 14AF andcooperating with their cams 50AF.

There is also shown the push button hold-down in the speaker line andacts to cut off the speaker from any energization and the secondoperates as a hold-in for the power supply, and switches I68 and I66operated by the arm I02 which is turned by the spring rod which extendsacross under the heads of the various bolts on the armatures 14. Thereis also shown in this circuit diagram the motor clutch magnet I36 andthe motor IIO. In their normal deenergized position all of the switchesof the I80 series will be open', switch I56 will be closed, I58 open,the magnetic clutch will be deenergized, switch I66 will be closed, I68will be open, and magnet I88 will be deenergized.

Now let us suppose that it is desired to tune in the station to whichthe knob I80B operates the control. I80B is therefore depressed and itsattendant relay 64B is energized to attract its armature 14B, the tip16B of which now descends to the cam surface I42B and in so turningrotat s 'magnet 64B an obvious circuit is completed to the push buttonhold-down coil I88 and to the hold-down relay and switch I10 to ground.The closure of the push button hold-down coil maintains that particularbutton in its closed position until the circuit is deen'ergized. Theenergization of the hold-down relay opens the speaker circuit and closesthe power supply to the motor through an obvious circuit so that themotor is energized and of course the motor clutch magnet connects themotor shaft with the tuning shaft so that the same will tune the set andalso index the camshaft.

When the camshaft is rotated to a point which will allow the tip 1813 toenter the depression I40, the arm I02 will be moved to such an extentthat the circuit through the field will be broken thus deenergizing themotor and the whole circuit. It should be noted that the particular tip16 involved may contact either the surface I44 having the smaller radiusor the surface I42 having the greater radius of the associated cam 50when it is attracted by the magnet and the distance which the armature14 is allowed to move determines the direction of rotation of the motorthrough control of switches I66 and I68. If one is closed the motor willrotate in one direction and if the other, the motor will rotate in theopposite direction. When the tip 16 drops into the notch I40, then thearm I02 does not contact the center member I10 and breaks the circuit tothe ground and stops the mechanism. Of course the same procedure wouldbe true if any of the other switches were depressed to tune in otherstations.

I claim:

'1. In a control device, a frame, a shaft mounted for rotation in theframe, a plurality of cams mounted on the shaft, a plurality of pivotedfollowers on the frame, a member having a flange extending from each ofthe followers, a second shaft in the frame, switching means operated bythe rotation of the second shaft, means extending from the second shaftand under the flange of each follower member and spring means on themember and engaging the last-named means to allow relative movementwhereby the depression of any follower on the cam will actuate theswitching means.

2. In a control device, a frame, a shaft mounted for rotation in theframe, a plurality and under the flange of each follower member andspring means on the member and engaging the last named means to allowrelative movement and independent adjustment whereby the depression ofany follower on the cam will actuate the switching means.

ROBERT H. HILL.

